Thames' takeout heats up rivalry

July 21, 2006|BY BOB WOJNOWSKI. Bob Wojnowski is a columnist for the Detroit News.

DETROIT — There was Ivan Rodriguez standing on first after his tying hit, pumping his arms. There was Marcus Thames rolling into second, knocking a guy down, breaking up a double play. There was reliever Joel Zumaya greeting the champs with gritted teeth and a 102-m.p.h. fastball, then capping it with a thundering fist thrust that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

If this is what a pennant race sounds like, looks like and smells like, this is going to be one fascinating, steamy summer.

The White Sox wanted this series, even needed this series, and seemed poised to take it. The defending champions had every reason to be arrogant, every reason to expect they could grab the scruffy Tigers and drop them to the side.

Now the White Sox have every reason to be concerned.

The Tigers' 2-1 victory gave them the series, a 64-31 record and a resounding 5 1/2-game lead. We know there are 10 games left against the White Sox, who are still 6-3 against the Tigers. But you've got to think Detroit knocked some haughtiness out of them.

You can bet the White Sox felt it, whether they admit it or not. You can bet the Tigers felt it, whether they realize it or not.

"No let up, we went right at 'em," said Zumaya, who struck out three in two stirring innings. "[Jim] Leyland told us we're better than this ball team. He believed in us. He knew we could battle with the world champs."

The play of the game was Thames' clean takeout of second baseman Tadahito Iguchi, which kept the seventh inning alive and preceded Shelton's hit. On the hard-slide issue, Leyland and White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen concurred.

Great baseball.

"This was like a playoff atmosphere, without a doubt," Tigers starter Kenny Rogers said.After Zumaya struck out Joe Crede to end the eighth, Crede stood and stared as Zumaya pumped his fist. Crede didn't want to talk about that. Something's percolating here, perfectly and appropriately.